FLOOD 2013 in North India

Flood 2013 in North India

Heavy rains and the flooding in North India permanently switched off the lives of hundreds of people.      Rough weather is constant companion of the people of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarkhand and Delhi.  Safety for them is mere illusion during rainy season.  Nobody knows when one will be evacuated from one’s life without further existence. Monsoon rains in the third week of June 2013 wreaked havoc in the state of Uttarkhand. It is a regular survivor of nature’s multitude calamities. 

Rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Sarada, Khagra, Rapti are mercilessly out flowing. Roads are invisible.  Flash floods, cloudbursts and land slips claimed lives of hundreds of people in Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarkhand. Nearly 80 thousand people are missing. 60 villages are completely washed out. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists are stranded in pilgrim centres without food, clothing, shelter, electricity and safe drinking water. They cannot communicate to their people as there is no communication system. Several buildings including hotels swept away in the swirling waters of rivers. Toll will be much more than the official calculation as several are missing and rescue operations have yet to reach the required fast rhythm.

I cancelled the Chardham (visiting the temples in 4 places – Gangotri, Yamunothri, Kedarnath and Badri Nath) pilgrim trip to Himalayas in this year because I was not healthy enough to walk the 14 kilometre stretch in the Himalayan Mountain to reach the famous temple of Kedarnath. My professor friend in Uttarkhand  Dr. Latha Gairola was all set to take me to these pilgrim centers in this year. I was longing to go.  But I cancelled my trip in the last minute. But today, I was so shocked to read the news of unexpected and gross calamities that wiped off thousands of lives of people, animals and the nature itself.

 Lanslides left thousands stranded in Kedaranath and Badrinath, the most famous Hindu temples. The temple of Kedarinath stands 3584 up above the sea level, in Himalayas.  River Mandakini has squeezed Kedarinath so severely that the idol of Shiva alone remains undestroyed.

 The pilgrims live in Dharmasalas in Kedarinath. They provide cost free accommodation to all.  All the 90 Dharmasalas have completely wiped off.  Nearly hundred poojaris who conduct religious rituals, 20 security personnel, and other employees of Kedarinath temple were swept away with in no time. Bad weather obstructs helicopters to rescue the stranded ones. Damtha, a place 70 kilometres away from Yamunothri itself has nearly 25000 people, not knowing what to do. The fury of rivers swapped so many lives.

I stood still, praying for all of them.

The India govt. has declared the situation as national disaster. Quick actions are executed. All are waiting to get instructions for participation in the rebuilding process.

SREE NAGAR- The city of Sights

Sree Nagar- The city of sights, smells and sounds 

Sree Nagar, the commercial city of Kashmir still keeps its medieval charm. Sree Nagar is delightful to travellers from all over the world.The Mughal fort at Hari Parbat dominates Sree Nagar. It is difficult to visit the old city of Sree Nagar, which embodoies the essence of Kashmir.  The roads are very narrow. the buildings looked very old. Copper wears are sold in the markets of old Sreenagar.  Sree Nagar stands around the river Jhelum. I have travelled over a dozen bridges over the river. The river view is unforgettable to any one's eyes.Kadal in Kashmiri language means bridge. "Kadal" in Tamil language means love. The river view from any of these bridges is a beautiful sight.Some of the names of these bridges are Zero bridge, Abdullah bridge, Amira Kadal, Budshah Kadal, Habba Kadal, Zaina Kadal, Nawa Kadal, Safa Kadal, and Fateh Kadal. I saw several traditional buildings constructed with bricks and these buildings queue up in the banks of the river. . They look very traditional. When I was given Kashmiri tea to drink at Prerna's house in the traditional copper glass, I was very happy with my Kashmiri experience.
 Kashmiri handicrafts were exquisite in their appearance. Tourists are welcome to visit Shrines and mosques in Kashmir. Several mosques were seen between Habba Kadal and Fateh Kadal. The most important shrine is Shah-i- Hamdan.
I visited a bakery in Sree Nagar just to see the variety of breads that people buy. Tsot, Tsochvoru, Lavas, Baqerhani and Kulcha are some of the varieties.

My stay in the house boat at Dal lake is worth remembering all the time. I saw floating vegetable gardens, blossoming lotus, and interacted with people living in house boats for their living.The exploratiopn by travelling in the shikara boat was very rejuvenating. I enjoyed Zabarwan mountain overlooking hte Lake.Between  Dal and the mountain range are the world famous Mughal gardens- Nishat, shalimarand Cheshmashahi with beautiful flower beads, fountains and lawns. I saw Pari Mahal , constructed by a Mughal prince for the Sufi saint. It was a wonderful experience to visit Shankaracharya temple atop the Takht-i- Sulaiman hill.
The final destination was visit to Hazratbal mosque. It was near the Kashmir university.

I preserve my connection with Kashmiri people at Kashmir and Jammu. I love to visit Jammu and Kashmir again!